Going to Iraq...Keep or sell my truck?

[woodman13]

I leave in 3 weeks for a 12-15 month Iraq tour! Sell or store my truck?

As some of you may know I have a few trucks, I recently bought a 1971 BBC SWB C10 that was an older restomod.

[IMG][/IMG]

It has a 1970 454 that is basically stock with HEI, 4 BBL and T400 trans. It was from AZ and is for the most part in good shape. It needs the following things as I see it;

rear cab supports are alittle rusty
it has car headers on it (I have BBC manifolds ordered)
No exhaust and a small oil leak from the PS system
It has Vintage Air system with all the underhood stuff missing(compressor, condensor, dryer, hoses)
PS fender, hood and grill are dented (not bad, but bad enough to replace)
needs paint

The good:

Mainly no body rust except rear cab supports
Vintage Air system (needs the upgrade for $689 shipped from Vintage Air.)
Redone interior (dash, door panels) good seat and carpet
I have a usable 67 front clip to install
Newer stepside bed
Disk front brakes


I always wanted a BBC SWB and this one is decent compaired to alot that I see on here for the same money. I have a shop I can store it in while I am gone and I could slowly buy the parts it needs while I am in Iraq to make it like I want.

I want a dropped/bagged truck that runs good and can hold it own at local shows and was relativly cheap!

LMK what you think!

[bac1755]

If you can store it store it. Its a good truck no reason to get rid of it. Plus its someting else for you to come back to.
But if you want to get rid of it you can give it to me I'll take care of her
And thank you for your service to this country

[Shyguy]

First I would like to thank you for your service.

It would be a difficult decision to make, to keep and store or sell.

If it were me I would store it and slowly buy parts that way you would have something to look forward to when you return.

But ultimately the decision is yours.

Danny

[VanceH]

Thank you for you Service!!! Be safe!! As far as selling or keeping, Thats going to be a decision you have to make!! Again Thank you for all that you do in the Military for us!!!!!!!

Vance

[see ten]

If it was mine and I had somewhere safe to store it for cheap/free I'd store it. If I was going to have to put it somewhere commecial that isn't cheap/free...I'd have to think about pulling the big block and dropping in a small block and finding it a new home.

It's your call buddy.

Be safe over there!

[mr.wrenches]

thank you for your service... I would sell it and come back with more money to somthing that needs less work... I'd fly 10,000 miles to smoke a camel.

[Longhorn Man]

You don't have enough time to sell it. Unless you already have a buyer, then there isn't enough time left.
When you get back, you'll have a butt load of cash in your pocket. Then you can decide keep it, or get a nicer truck, and ue some of these parts for it.
Just keep your head down low, and be safe.

[71swb4x4]

If it was me, I would try to sell it. If it doesn't sell then obviously store it.
Either way, don't buy parts when you are gone. Save your cash. Things can change a lot in a few months or a couple years. Once you get back home you can decide what direction you want to go, whether it's fix this one, buy a different one, or do something totally differrent.
We all know that it costs a small fortune to take these trucks from rough to cherry. The one you have has a few good points, but a lot of areas that need work.

[MrBeast]

I say keep it, and I can tell you from my own experience being a Veteran of the US Navy, having something to look forward to can make all the difference in helping you get through the hard times.

And I tell you what, if you need a place to store it while you are gone, Id let you park it here at my place, I have 2 acres so the space really isn't and issue.

Either way, be safe over there, keep your head on a swivel and come home safe.

[BADSAM]

Store it! If you need a place, post that up. I bet there's someone near you that would love to help a deploying soldier.

Thanks for serving and stay safe.

[mbgmike]

If you like it keep it. Its not like you are going over there forever.

[woodman13]

Thanks for all the kind words, I have a shop that is 35X50 and I can get 3 trucks in there. I haved space to store this truck and know these deals don't come along often (BBC SWB for $1200). I miss the last 2 trucks I sold and they were not as nice as this one is right now...lol.

I don't need the money, so selling is not a "have to". The only thing is I know I will buy lots of parts while I am gone....lol, it is just the nature of being a car guy.

[red71c10]

Store it if you can. Be safe man!

[watahyahknow]

the truck doesnt look realy special but if you can store it for free and dont have to pay taxes on it i would store it .
any other way if you can sell it for a good price put the money along with the storage money on the bank and buy another one when youre back , with some luck you end up landing somewhere in la or arizona after the tour and you can drive a rustfree truck home , there been some realy nice trucks when i was there last but the engines arent too good

[mbgmike]

Originally Posted by woodman13

Thanks for all the kind words, I have a shop that is 35X50 and I can get 3 trucks in there. I haved space to store this truck and know these deals don't come along often (BBC SWB for $1200). I miss the last 2 trucks I sold and they were not as nice as this one is right now...lol.

I don't need the money, so selling is not a "have to". The only thing is I know I will buy lots of parts while I am gone....lol, it is just the nature of being a car guy.

There you go.
Don't eat too much Popeyes Chicken while you are there
We get alot of calls from guys from Iraq buying parts. Whats wrong with that?
my nephew and one of our employees brother are both over their. They are based in Ft Hood. It looks like a mess and it gets boring at times. Be carefull

[bamabaxter]

THANK YOU FOR KEEPING US ALL FREE.

Keep that truck....I was in the Navy myself, and like others said it sometimes takes something like a truck or car to get you through the day. I have been there. Find a cheap storage unit or a buddy's house to leave it at. These trucks are some of the only things still on the road today that were made here. Parts for GM and Ford come from over seas nowadays. I see my truck as a piece of AMERICAN HERITAGE. It ain't goin nowhere.

[truckpoorpackrat]

I agree keep it till you get back. But I would suggest preparing it for storage (fresh coolant , pull plugs and squirt a little oil on the pistons , set up on jack stands) I'm sure there is more. Just want it to be in the same condition you left it in. One other thing make a list of what you do and put it in the glove box for a reminder when you get back. Good luck and be safe. James

[mr48chev]

I believe you answered your own question when you said you had the shop to safely store it inside. If you had to store it outside or had to pay to store it that might be a different story but If it is what you want to build when you get back and it is worth building keep it.

I had my 51 Merc sitting at my grandparents house (the house I live in now) when I was in Viet Nam in 1968 and I spent many an hour planning on what I was going to do on it when I got back and out.

From and old Vet, let me know when you get a mailing address. I remember how important care packages were when I was in. There are vets all over the US who would go UMM cookies if they happened to read my grandmother's best friends name somewhere even though they hadn't seen it for 41 years.

[red71c10]

Originally Posted by bamabaxter

THANK YOU FOR KEEPING US ALL FREE.

Keep that truck....I was in the Navy myself, and like others said it sometimes takes something like a truck or car to get you through the day. I have been there. Find a cheap storage unit or a buddy's house to leave it at. These trucks are some of the only things still on the road today that were made here. Parts for GM and Ford come from over seas nowadays. I see my truck as a piece of AMERICAN HERITAGE. It ain't goin nowhere.

I was in the Navy too, and had a Chevy waiting for me when I got home. It really does give you something extra to look forward too!

[yote1234]

keep it.... thank you for your service....

[big mike71]

Keep it and come back safe, fix it up and win truck of the month.

[woodman13]

Wow 21 for keeping it and 0 for selling it. I guess I better clean out a corner of the shop....!

[big_al_71]

Thank you for your service!!!
Store it and you will finish it when you return...

[CSGAS]

When I got called up for Desert Storm my dad was hot and drooling to "sell my Chevelle for me" while I was gone. I suppose he planned on me getting killed. Instead the war was over less than 6 weeks after I reported and I was back home to my prized little machine.

Changes happen quickly. You could be home on unexpected leave and wishing you had something to get around in, or the price of our trucks could quadruple like Hemi musclecars did in just one year.

This is your truck. You already done some work to it, and know the rest of what you want to do. No one will appreciate it like you will. Keep it without regrets.

[72 Super]

Thank you for your services. If you really want the truck and can store I would keep it, it seems like the truck you are wanting (shortbed/big block). It will be another reason for you to look forwards to coming home.

Ray